THE CAUCUS; Schumer Out, Menendez In

By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN

Published: November 25, 2008

After two election cycles in which the Democrats have gained at least 13 seats in the Senate, Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York is stepping down as chairman of the party's campaign committee.

Mr. Schumer, the senior senator from New York, is expected to turn the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee over to Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, keeping control of the campaign operation close to Wall Street, party officials said.

In 2006, Mr. Schumer led the successful Democratic drive to win back control of the Senate from the Republicans. The Democrats picked up six seats that year, bringing them to a 51-to-49 majority, thanks to two independents who organize with the Democrats.

In recognition of his efforts, Mr. Schumer, below right, was named to a new leadership position as the No. 3 Democrat in the Senate, after the majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, and the whip, Richard J. Durbin of Illinois.

This year, the Democrats have expanded their majority to at least 58 seats, with two races still undecided in Minnesota and Georgia.

Mr. Menendez, below left, will take over the campaign operations at a time of continuing strength for the Democrats. In 2010, 19 Senate Republicans will be up for re-election compared with just 15 Democrats, giving the Democrats an important numerical advantage. DAVID M. HERSZENHORN